I'm worried about my incubator failing...anything I can do?

[GeoGreyWolf]

I have not had the luck of getting an egg yet, but i originally purchased this incubator, seen reviews and tested with a hygrometer, was way off. I got my money back and bought a new one, however you can try one of the home made incubators i seen many on here that people have a lot better hatch rate with. And will cost about the same if not less than what you bought the 7 egg one for. Some of the material you might even have laying around the house.

 

[Lochloosachicks]

I have not had the luck of getting an egg yet, but i originally purchased this incubator, seen reviews and tested with a hygrometer, was way off. I got my money back and bought a new one, however you can try one of the home made incubators i seen many on here that people have a lot better hatch rate with. And will cost about the same if not less than what you bought the 7 egg one for. Some of the material you might even have laying around the house.

Yes, that is exactly what I did. The humidity was reading 75%! I've made one using the bottom of the other and an aquarium, bubble wrap, chicken wire and sponges. I have it stabilized at about 45% humidity,99-100 degrees. Things are looking good now. I'm a little nervous about them hatching in there, but it will be better than the other for sure.

 

[Emi McMail]

My success was completely, and I mean to the fullest extent of the word, reliant on having two good incubators. Both with a thermo/hydro read, but one for incubation and one for hatching, which you remove the egg turners for and place them in about 1 or 2 days prior to their hatch date. It leads to a lot more success and a lot less heartbreak.

 

[Lochloosachicks]

I'm getting closer to lockdown and I feel like we are closer to ready. I'm a little concerned about the size of the air cells. I didn't mark them at 7 days so I can't compare. I'm wondering if I should run my humidity low for a couple of days. I do see life in all of them. Some have more dark than others. I was worried about one because it wasn't as dark inside but the little chick was super active. Is there anything to that? I'm attaching pics to get any advice anyone might have for me.my araucana egg has such a large dark mass and has always seemed to look different than the others. There was movement though. It will be day 15 tomorrow. I plan to lock down on Thursday evening. Excuse the terrible photos my husband took them.

 

[gimmie birdies]

At day 15 they should be dark, if you can shine a light through the pointy end at day 16, they are developing slower and if you cannot turn up the heat, just expect a late hatch.

 

[Lochloosachicks]

So how much should be dark? I didn't try the pointy end.

 

[Lochloosachicks]

I just checked again and they are all dark through the pointy end except one. It is my largest egg. I'm not sure but it may also be the one that developed an air cell later. If it's behind the other than it can't go into lockdown with the rest can it? I think it's my amberlink dekalb's egg.

 

[gimmie birdies]

you can put it into lock-down, but large eggs under the best conditions can hatch late. Give it time, I had eggs hatch on day 23, and I didn't have to help them.

 

[Lochloosachicks]

I'm going into lockdown tonight. It's day 18! I'm super nervous bc of the homeade incubator. All eggs are good as of now so I don't want to ruin it at the end. Air cells were great and I saw movement in all 5. Is it okay to have sponges in there for extra moisture? If they get dry can they absorb moisture? I'm sure they will dry out and I won't be able to remove them. Is there any particular way I should position the eggs. I'm attaching a pic of my set up, advice and corrections are appreciated.